Combined switch and socket for electric lamps



Aug. 21, 1956 M. D'ANGELO COMBINED SWITCH AND SOCKET FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS Filed l n s, 1953 I Nl E N TOR.

ATTORNEYS;

United States Patent C CONIBINED SWITCH AND :SOCKET! FOR ELECTRICLAIVIPS Mario DAngelo, West Hempstead, N. Y., assignor to Gilbert Manufacturing Co., "Inc.,- Long'lsland City, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationJune 1953, Serial No. 359,804

7 Claims. (C].'200'"-51.16)

The present invention relates to socketsafor electric .lamps and the like and particularly toa socket having a switch integral therewith. More particularly.still the invention relates to, modi- 'fications of conventional combined switches. and sockets which permityvery simplified construction as wellas simplified assembly and connection of the lamp to a common .2-conductor electric cord. The construction of theusual combined lamp socket and switchinvolves a multiplicity of small parts which are assembled with considerable difiiculty making the sockets relatively expen sive. In the; present device the number of parts is much reduced and the assembly greatly simplified the lamp socket therefore being inexpensively manufactured.

In the connection of conventional electric 'so'cketsto of this procedure is completely. eliminated particularly the stripping, twisting and, connecting of the wiresand the knotting thereof lO'fplOVldC strain relief.

Itis an object of the invention to provide an improved electric socket and 'switchcapalble of rapid assembly with -'ordinary 2-c'onductor electric wires.

It is another object of the invention" to provide "an improved electric socket and switch which eliminates the usual screw connectors for the connecting Wires.

It is another object o-f the invention toj'pro'videy an improvedelectrio socket and switch whiohireducesthe 3 number of; parts and the assembly operations"required to a minimum and-which permits theme of inexpensive and easily fabricated parts.

" It is a still-further object 'of '-the-invention' to-provide an electric socket and switch eonstruction'which provides strain relief-without 'necessitating any knotting of'the electrie cord or other usualmodesof providing su ch relief, such forexample as gripping membersformed in the socket cap.

Other objects and features of the invention will 'be apparent when the following descriptionis'f considered "inconnection with the annexed drawings; in'which:

Figure his a front-elevationof-a socketswitchwombination in accordance with my 'inventiong the-*view be- "-ing partly--in vertical crosssec'tionim order to show the construction and particullarlym the construction of f the "switch;

--. Figure 2v is. avertical: cross-section, 1116356611011 being ,-;.takenqon the, planes at n'gh't angles tot :the section? oft- Figv Figure 3 is a. horizontal cross-seot ion of. the socket switch. combination,-;the view.-beingtaken'-.;on -the-plane of-the line 3. .3 of Figure ,2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of theihase pontionmof th witc hou ing.= nembe i' Patented Aug. 21, 1956 2 Figure 5 is a perspective ,view showing-the form of the contact. terminals; 1 Figure 6 isa bottom planfv'iewof the intermediate portion of the'housing which intermediate portion houses both the switch'elementyandithe contact'terminals;.and Figure 7 isua persp'eictive'view of the switch operating and toggle members.

Referring now tothefd-rawjngsflhe socket switch com- Abination of the"present 'inventionhas an outer casing l0v formed by a casing shell 10'and acap 11.- The casing shell 10 is formed "withjcorrugations 12 placed along the upper edge" thereof for cooperation with similar corrugations. 13 on 'the'lower edge" of the. cap=11. At diametrically' opposite -1')joints ,the*casing:shell 10is notched as indicated. at"14 to'prov-ide forthe operating buttons 15 of the switch and also to lock theinterior parts against rotation with respect, to the shells and cap. -Withinthe socket. shell'fll) there'is placedan insulating lining 16. Althoughin conventional sockets this lining extends 'for ,the full height of'the casing shell 1.0, in the present instance, it is unnecessary and-the socket lining16-termi- .nates at the baseof the slots 14. Lining. 16 surrounds the threaded metallic lamp base receiving member 17.

Fixed to the lamp basereceiving member. 1'7 is the lower switch housing, member 18 which, as is .seen clearly in' Figures 1, 2 and 4,,is a molded plastic diskhaving a groove120 extending thereacross; thisngroovewbein-g relatively shallow and being, intersectediby a deeper groove 21. The groove 20 .has inclined terminal ends, as shown clearly in Figure 1, and there is mounted-for sliding movement, in the groovevthe switch'operating member '22 which has insulating, buttons liat its it ends.

Member22 has ardepending' central portionindicated at ""23 and theZupper-surface of thisdepend-ing portion is formed withthe two prongsf24. The base-memberlS, in addition to} being. proyided.,with the grooves 20 and '21, is; provided with.the-,slots.f25..which .slots'are-wider at'theupper surface than at the lower surface as is clearly indicated in Figure 4.

Positioned in the groove; 21 is the switch toggle-member'"26, this member being .provided withla notch at'27,

Figure 7, to accommodate thedoweredge of "the-operating member "22. The groove 21has bevelled edges and forms a pivot point for) the=memvber 26.

Member-26 is formedwith an openingfz .themargin having. a depending portion"30 as is clearly shown :in Figure 7. The

"usual toggle sp1ing31r.extends from nthevdepending por- "tion" 23 of the. operating. member. 22 ,to-the upper: edge 24 on the member22 and the downwardly protruding 'of' the: 'aperturef, 28, in the. toggle member :26 the spring being'held in. position bytheupwardly protrudingprongs portiorij'30 of theimem ber .26. "The: elements-just described form a usual. :type of toggle switch arnangement,

"the springtending at all-times to elongate tozitsm-aximum extent and. therefore,.;causing thetoggle member 26 to rotateaboutits pivotvin. the groove 21 as the switch openating member22- is. moved .from. side to-side as seen "in' Figure l.

S.Mounted on .the,,b;asehousing portion 18,5just described, is ,an intermediate? housing portion :32. This housing portion32 is; besttshown in Figures- Ithrohgh 3 and .6. It is "generally. .rectangularwin shape and is hollows sav .for .thee-two ends of the rectangle: which areclos edby the bottoms :shownuat-33. -Eachof the bottom 'portions'33 is provided with an aperture' 34 for a purposewhich will,xlater..appear. Additionally; the

Iupstanding i .wall portions 35 are provided with inward projections designated-as36 ssee Figure 3 and, -in -addi- 3 tion, partition walls 37-. are provided.

Centrally- 10f. the member 32;-and 'for'medlintegrally .with the mernber-are-outwardly extending U.-shaped por- :tiQns ,38 .which .-are asubstantiallyi; half ;:-the- 1* height of i the in Figure 3.

member 32. The portions 38 serve as guides for the Operating member 23 in its movement in the slot 20, the operating buttons being of a size to substantially t in the grooves which, of course, are closed by the base member 18 when the device is assembled. At one end the rectangular intermediate housing 32 is provided with a notch in its upper surface as shown at 40, Figure 3, this notch serving to accommodate a 2-conductor cord which is laid therein as will later appear.

The member 32 is also provided with outwardly extending flanges along its sides as shown particularly at 41, Figure 1, these flanges cooperating with inturned flanges 42 on a cap member 43, the cap member being a molded insulating member generally rectangular in shape and of substantially the same size as the top of the rectangular housing member 32 so that the cover completely closes the open top of member 32.

The inner wall of member 32 is provided near its left hand end with a pair of vertically extending grooves 44 and a terminal member 45, having the shape shown in Figure 5, is inserted in these grooves with the bent-over portion or ear 46 thereof extending to the left as seen Member is provided with two sharp prongs 48 at its upper edge and is provided with a slot or hole 50 in the ear 46. When the parts are assembled a rivet 51 extends through the slot 50, through the hole 34 in the base of the intermediate housing member 32, through a corresponding hole in the housing base 18, and thence through a hole in the turned-over flange 52 of the threaded lamp base receiving member 17.

Adjacent the left one of the partitions 37 and to the left thereof vertically extending grooves 53 are formed in the opposite end walls of the member 32 and a terminal member 54 is inserted with its edges in the groove. This member 54 is shown in Figure 5 and comprises a straight portion having formed at the top thereof a laterally extending portion 55 which is bent in a return bend as clearly shown in Figure 5. Before the device is assembled the lower end 56 lies parallel with the remaining central portion. The terminal member is thus inserted into the groove and extends through the opening 57 in the base of the intermediate housing portion 32, thence through the corresponding opening 25 in the housing portion 18, and is then bent over, as shown clearly in Figure 2, to form the center contact for the electric lamp. It should be noted at this point that the partition 37 is notched at its upper edge to accommodate the laterally bent portion 55 of the terminal member 54.

The interior walls of the housing portion 32 are pro vided at the right of the center line, as seen in Figure 3, with grooves 58 similar to the grooves 53. grooves a terminal member 60, see Figure 5, is inserted, this member being provided with upstanding sharpened prongs 6i and being also provided with the laterally extending portion 62. The laterally extending portions 55 and 62 of the terminal members 54 and 60 respectively comprise contact members with which the toggle member 26 cooperates to form a switch. The upstanding prongs 48 and 61 of the terminal members 45 and 6%" respectively serve to penetrate the two conductors of a 2-conductor cord shown at 63 in Figure 2 and to thereby connect the members to respective conductors. It will be noticed that when the device is assembled, as above described, the prongs 48 lie on one side of the center line and prongs 61 on the other side of the center line assuring that each set of prongs will cooperate with one, and only one, of the two conductors of a 2-conductor cord in which the two conductors are parallel to each other.

The assembly of the parts heretofore mentioned has been indicated in connection with the fastening of the terminal member 45 in its position. In addition to the rivet 51 which serves the function mentioned there is provided a similar rivet 64 which extends through one of the apertures 34 in the intermediate housing 32 and through corresponding holes in the housing member 18 In these and the flange of threaded lamp receiving member 17, thus fixing the parts firmly together.

As will be seen particularly by reference to Figures 1 and 2, the toggle member 26 extends upwardly into the central opening in the intermediate housing 32 in position to bridge across from the end of the return bend 55 of member 54 to the end of the return bend 62 of the terminal member 60, thus completing a circuit from one of the two conductors of the cord 63 through the terminal member 45, the rivet 51, the threaded lamp receiving member 17, the lamp filament, the central lamp contact 56, the terminal member 55, toggle member 26, the terminal member 60, to the other one of the pair of conductors in the Z-conductor cord 63. When the member 23 is operated to its other extreme position, that is, to the left as seen in Figure 1, the toggle member 26 will move away from the return bend portions of the terminals 45 and 61 and will lie against the partition wall of member 32, thus breaking the circuit just above described. The circuit open position is shown in full lines in Figure 1.

As has been indicated, the switch socket combination is connected to the cord by merely passing the cord through the central opening in the socket cap 11, then laying the cord in the groove 40 and extending toward the left as seen in Figure 2, with the end thereof bent down and into the hollow portion of the rectangular housing 32. After this has been done the cap 43 is placed on the housing member 32 and presses the cord 63 downwardly until the prongs 45 and 61 respectively penetrate through the cord insulation and make contact with the conductors. The insulating lining 116 is placed in the socket shell 10, the assembled switch and socket then placed within the insulating lining 16, as shown in Figure 1, and the cap 11 snapped onto the shell 10. It will be noted that because of the construction of the combined switch and socket, that is, because all of the exposed parts thereof are made of insulating plastic it is unnecessary that the lining 16 extend to the top of the shell 10 and also unnecessary that the cap 11 be provided with an insulating lining. This considerably reduces the cost of the completed switch and socket.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I wish to be limited not by the foregoing description, but solely by the claims granted to me.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch socket for electric light bulbs comprising, in combination, an insulating housing structure, a metallic, threaded light bulb-receiving contact shell fixed on said housing structure, a conductor cord-receiving channel in said housing structure, a pair of switch terminals mounted in said housing structure, a toggle switch member pivotally mounted within said housing in position to bridge across said switch terminals, one of said switch terminals having an insulation piercing pointed end extending within said channel, the other of said switch terminals having an end thereof extending insulatingly within said contact shell and formed as a contact tongue for the center base terminal of a threaded base electric light bulb, a contact member having an insulation piercing pointed end extending within said channel at the side thereof opposite said insulation piercing end of said first switch terminal, the other end of said contact member being electrically connected to said contact shell, and a slidable cover piece for said channel, said cover piece engaging said insulating housing structure for pressing a conductor cord in said channel against the piercing ends of said switch terminal and contact member to pierce the insulation of said conductor cord and make contact with the conductors therein whereby connection is made between said wires and a light bulb threaded in said contact shell when said toggle switch member is in circuit closing position.

2. A combined socket and switch for electric light b b r writin i uwm iin ta ct shellZ ;fixed ;on said; housing:- structure;sa1d,-structure haying a, cordreceiving channel a ,pair. of: switchterminals fixedin said housing; structure, one, of said switch.

terminals haying an insulatiompiercing ,pointed end. ex-

;tending within l said conductor. cordreceiving channel, a, toggle. switch. member pivotally; :rnountedwithin said 3 housing structure, 5 said, member; .beingaadapted to bridge tween, said. switch member, andsaid operatingxmember to; .operate, said syvitch ,member; to,:open, and close the A .circuit throughsaid-terminala the second of said switch terminals having:,an ,e nd thereof;-extending insulatingly H within'said contact -s hell and formed as ,a. contact tongue for. the center base. terminal of,a:,threaded base electric ,light bulb, a ,contactmerriber havingan insulation ,pierc- ;ing,pointed .endextending wit-hinsaid; channel atthe side opposite said insulation piercing, end of said terminal, the

other end of said contact member being electricallyconnected to said contact shell, and a slidable cover piece for said cord-receiving channel,- said cover piece engaging said insulating housing structure for pressing a conductor ,.cord in said channel on said switchterminal: and, contact member pointed ends to p-iercclheiinsulation of said con- -d uctor cord and make contact with:the; conductors therein whereby connection madebetween saidwiresand a 1 ;-light, ;bulb in said contact shell ,whenisaid toggle switch ,1 member is in circuit closing position.

i 3, A switchs'ocke tfor'electric light bulbs comprising an insulating housing structure, said structure being composed of a base member, an intermediate member and a cap member, said intermediate member being generally rectangular in shape and having formed integrally therewith, a pair of extensions U-shaped in cross-section, said extensions extending perpendicular to the axis of said rectangular housing portion, said housing portion having a cord-receiving channel extending longitudinally thereof at its upper end and having a central opening extending therethrough and communicating with said cord-receiving channel, said intermediate housing member also having an opening communicating with said channel at each end thereof, said openings being closed at the bottoms thereof, a pair of switch terminals mounted in said intermediate housing, said switch terminals extending transversely of said housing adjacent said central opening, one of said switch terminals having a pronged upper end for piercing a cord conductor lying in said channel, said base housing portion having a slot extending diametrically thereof and a short slot extending perpendicularly to said first slot, a toggle switch member adapted to bridge said switch terminals, said switch member being pivotally mounted in said short slot in said base member and extending upwardly into the central opening of said intermediate member to make contact with said switch terminals, a switch operating member slidably mounted in said diametrically extending slot for reciprocation with respect to said base and intermediate body portions, said switch operating member being provided with insulating buttons at its ends, said buttons being guided in the said U-shaped portions of said intermediate housing, said switch operating member extending through an aperture in said toggle member, a spring extending between said switch operating member and said toggle member to cause said switch operating member to bear against said switch terminals when said switch oneratinn member is in one position and to lie against a wall of said central opening in said intermediate housing when said switch operating member is in its other position, the second of said switch terminals having its lower end extending through said intermediate housing and said base housing and being bent over to form a contact for the center terp ri insul ipathcasi --ii i t9 -;a el q afi t ulbiair ew threaded light I ba s aa rip i pa a t he monntedrp -s a u wing.,substantially -.concentric of said lampi contact, a contact mem' ber m ounted in .onepii said end apertures. of said 5 intermediate housing, saidcontact member; having an ,upper prongedt-send for ,piereing, a 1 conductor cord lying i d shann taaidt pnt mem sh in allower; n

lbentzoif and fixed tothe bottomwallof said intermediate 1 housing, saidzbent ofi,por tion.being fastened to said light bulb, receiving con ta ct hell,;and apslidablecovenpiece for said channeL sa over-,piece.having downwardly extendingand, inwardly bent flangesathereon, said intermediate housing-I; hayingutwardly extending flanges thereon, said flanges cooperating to. hold, saidcover plate 9 against 'theupper surface ofi sa id.-housing and ,to ,press a conductor insaid. channel, onthe pronged upperends of said one switch. terminall andgsaid contact .memberto make contact withqthe pair I, of wires of the cord .conductor lying in said channel.

4. A device as. claimed in ;claim, 3;- characterized in that said, switch; terminals are provided withbentcoff portions extending toward each" other :and' intosaid central opening. of, said intermediate housing- .to thereby cooperate-with saidtogglemernber.

i 5. A -combined. socket-,and-switch; for ,electric ,light -.:bulbs comprising acasingghaving relatively separable .cap, and body portions, said, body portion having diam r 9a op osi uma? no on a :in la i -l within ,said casing bodyportion, and; extending from the end QPPOSitQ;said;.cap,.;portion to said. cutout, portions, and a switch and ,socket structure within saidcasing: and

said lining, saidns, itch;.and, socket structure comprising an insulating housing structure Qa metallic, threaded light bulb-receiving contact shell fixed on said housing structure, a conductor cord-receiving channel in said housing structure, a pair of switch terminals mounted in said housing structure, a toggle switch member pivotally mounted within said housing in position to bridge across said switch terminals, one of said switch terminals having an insulation piercing pointed end extending within said channel, the other of said switch terminals having an end thereof extending insulatingly within said contact shell and formed as a contact tongue for the center base terminal of a threaded base electric light bulb, a contact member having an insulation piercing pointed end extending within said channel at the side thereof opposite said insulation piercing end of said first switch terminal, the other end of said contact member being electrically connected to said contact shell, and a slidable cover piece for said channel, said cover piece engaging said insulating housing structure for pressing .a conductor cord in said channel against the piercing ends of said switch terminal and contact member to pierce the insulation of said conductor cord and make contact with the conductors therein whereby connection is made between said wires and a light bulb threaded in said contact shell when said toggle switch member is in circuit closing position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said casing cap has a cord aperture located on the axis of said socket, and said housing cord-receiving channel and cover extend perpendicularly to said axis whereby pull on said cord is taken up by said housing cover piece and no strain is placed on the switch terminal or contact member.

7. A switch socket for electric light bulbs comprising an insulating housing structure, said structure being composed of a base member, an intermediate member and a cap member, said intermediate member being generally rectangular in shape and having formed integrally there with a pair of extensions U-shaped in cross-section, said extensions extending perpendicular to the axis of said rectangular housing portion, said housing portion having a cord-receiving channel extending longitudinally thereof at its upper end and having a central opening extending therethrough and communicating with said cord-receiving channel, said intermediate housing member also having an opening communicating with said channel at each end thereof, said openings being closed at the bottoms thereof, a plurality of pairs of oppositely facing grooves in the interior wall of said intermediate housing member, a pair of switch terminals, each terminal being mounted in a pair of said grooves and extending transversely of said intermediate housing adjacent said central opening, one of said switch terminals having a pronged upper end for piercing a cord conductor lying in said channel, said base housing portion having a slot extending diametrically thereof and a short slot extending perpendicularly to said first slot, a toggle switch member adapted to bridge said switch terminals, said switch member being pivotally mounted in said short slot in said base member and extending upwardly into the central opening of said intermediate member to make contact with said switch terminals, a switch operating member slidably mounted in said diametrically extending slot for reciprocation with respect to said base and intermediate body portions, said switch operating member being provided with insulating buttons at its ends, said buttons being guided in the said U-shaped portions of said intermediate housing, said switch operating member extending through an aperture in said toggle member, a spring extending between said switch operating member and said toggle member to cause said switch operating member to bear against said switch terminals when said switch operating member is in one position and to lie against a wall of said central opening in said intermediate housing when said switch operating member is in its other position, the second of said switch terminals having its lower end extending through said intermediate housing and said base housing and being bent over to form a contact for the center terminal of an electric light bulb, a screwthreaded light bulb-receiving contact shell mounted on said base housing substantially concentric of said lamp contact, a contact member mounted in a third pair of oppositely facing grooves in the interior wall of said intermediate housing adjacent said central opening, said contact member having an upper pronged end for piercing a conductor cord lying in said channel, said contact member having a lower end bent ofl and fixed to the bottom wall of said intermediate housing, said bent ofl portion being fastened to said light bulb-receiving contact shell, and a slidable cover piece for said channel, said cover piece having downwardly extending and inwardly bent flanges thereon, said intermediate housing having outwardly extending flanges thereon, said flanges cooperating to hold said cover plate against the upper surface of said housing and to press a conductor in said channel on the pronged upper ends of said one switch terminal and said contact member to make contact with the pair of wires of the cord conductor lying in said channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,780,434 Meuer Nov. 4, 1930 1,883,127 Tregoning Oct. 18, 1932 2,245,194 Hollander June 10, 1941 2,498,943 Courtney Feb. 28, 1950 2,570,751 Benander v. Oct. 9, 1951 2,647,246 Gilbert July 28, 1953 

